Tough issues looming in ag and natural resources

Some tough issues are expected to come before some agriculture and natural resources committees of the Minnesota Legislature this session.

Rep. Jean Wagenius, DFL-Minneapolis, chairs the Environment, Natural Resources and Agriculture Finance Committee. She said it’s early and difficult to determine all of the issues “right now” and the budget will help define the issues.

She believes the following issues may come before her committee:

• Drought caused by Mother Nature;

• Invasive species; and

• Frac sand mining.

New federal rules about the ozone and fine particulate matter are going to be watched carefully, Wagenius said. She said the goal is to stay under set health limits.

Speaking about invasive issues, Rep. Wagenius said one-time funding was approved by the Legislature but a huge gap in funding exists. She also said the Legislative Commission on Minnesota Resources (LCMR) has proposed a next step in funding an aquatic invasive species study group at the University of Minnesota.

Wagneius’ committee will meet Tuesdays and Thursdays during this legislative session.

Sparks anticipates a policy bill coming and one speaking to biofuels and ethanol. He also said food and safety issues will likely be on his committee’s docket.

Part of Sparks’ committee responsibility will center on jobs by working with DEED (Department of Employment and Economic Development) and Labor and Industry. “We want to come up with some good economic development tools to work on job creation throughout the state,” Sparks said.